As eloquent as Edmonton Oilers coach Pat Quinn usually is, he fumbled his words when reporters asked about the status of Nikolai Khabibulin's back today. That can't be a good thing.

As widely reported, Quinn offered something about Khabibulin undergoing a "procedure" when asked for an update on his starting goaltender. Pressed for details, Quinn said: "It has to do with spinal stuff that they do. Enough said. We don’t talk about injuries that much." That spinal stuff they do?

Now, I know Jason Gregor laid out a list of perfectly reasonable possibilities in today's GDB, but when a guy like Quinn, who is usually a straight-shooter, gets evasive, I get a bad feeling -- like when an air traffic controller or brain surgeon says, "Oh, shit."

Khabibulin's been out since Nov. 18, so being told he'd "tweaked" his back long ago started to wear thin. A tweak is a game or two. With Quinn's vague "spinal stuff" and "procedure" references, the natural questions that beg are, what spinal stuff and what kind of procedure?

Jim Matheson, Dan Barnes and I nagged Oilers PR man J.J. Hebert on that front again today after Quinn spilled the beans, suggesting fans might want some clarification. There's a chance we will get it in the next 24 hours, but there is no guarantee.

I've been wrong countless times before, but, as was the case when we were told Ales Hemsky was meeting with doctors before the team announced he'd need shoulder surgery, I'm not expecting good news.

The boss on JDD

Whether Khabibulin's 37-year-old back requires surgery or not, it seems likely Jeff Deslauriers streak of starts, which now sits at 11 straight, could hit 21 in a row and take him into the New Year.

Deslauriers, 25, faces the Los Angeles Kings tonight with an 8-4-2 record to go with a 2.60 goals-against average and a saves percentage of .916. It's been well-documented JDD has waited his turn to prove he's got the game to be a starter in the NHL.

I think he does, and that he'll prove it conclusively before this season is done, but what I think doesn't count for much. So, I asked Quinn for his take on Deslauriers.

"He's a No. 1 because that's where he is right now," Quinn said. OK, but is he playing like a No. 1?

"You know what? Yes and no," Quinn said. "There are times he's made some really big stops for us. Then, there's a couple that have gone in that you wonder about his mental toughness at the time. The last L.A. game (winner by Matt Greene). It was actually a decent shot, but late in the game up over the shoulder.

"You see a pattern there. There was a couple that happened like that. A couple from behind the net -- the opening goal in St. Louis the other night. Against San Jose, he should not be playing the puck. We had big errors on that by a number of people. He should've stood up and played goal instead of trying to play defence. He's learning those things

"Athletically, I think he's going to be a No. 1 for sure. He's just at the stage where he doesn't have that many games played here. As he's come along, he's shown us some big stops here. When the game was on the line in St. Louis he stepped up and made the big saves for us. You can see that it's there. It's going to be, like with a lot of our young guys, consistency that has to come into his play."

Put up or shut up

There's no question Khabibulin's injury has provided Deslauriers with the best chance of his pro career to prove he can carry the mail as a starter. Then again, that's not saying much, given the roadblocks thrown his way since draft day in 2002.

The sound of opportunity knocking obviously resonates with Deslauriers. I asked him about that.

"It's hard to get to the NHL, but it's harder to stay here," he said. "You have to give your best every night. My role at the start of the year is different than what I have right now.

"I trained this summer to get ready for this role, for more games in a row. Hockey is a role game and everybody has to do his job the best they can. I have a role that I want and I have to show what I can do.

"It's my first chance. I have to be focused and ready every night. We'll see what's up for me in the future. It changes all the time, but you have to do the best you can. My goal is to be the best, no matter what I'm asked to do."

-- Listen to Robin Brownlee every Wednesday and Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. on Just A Game with Jason Gregor on TEAM 1260.

A sports writer since 1983, including stints at The Edmonton Journal and The Sun 1989-2007, I happily co-host the Jason Gregor Show on TSN 1260 twice a week and write when so inclined. Have the best damn lawn on the internet. Most important, I am Sam's dad. Follow me on Twitter at Robin_Brownlee. Or don't.

Wowsers. Not too happy about the possible Khabibulin scenarios. On the other hand JDD taking the ball and running with it. If this is an injury that keeps Khabbi out long term, or worse forever term as some rumors have it, this is gonna be a real sore spot on this franchise's back and management team.

Now that the strive for five is done and the Oil set a new record, not to mention put to rest the DFF for most, what do we go for now?

being an observer from afar, i am just wondering why they haven't given dubnyk a start, his play at ahl level seems sound and what better chance to see if he can prove himself as well, why put all your eggs in one basket, deslauriers, when you could see what dubnyk can do aswell even if it is as a back up to jdd

We needed an NHL goaltender signed during the offseason. You may disagree with the term of the deal, but we needed to sign someone for that position, and is was widely thought that Khabbie was the best available player this offseason.

im not really a bad person or some kind of hatefull nazi. im not even white. i just picked the name one day from my cousin book he was reading, it had all these names of bad folk that associated with the third empire.

i just cant stand some of these penisriding hypocrits that post on here.

The lid on information about Khabby's back is tighter than Butch Gorings helmet. As a fan I am dumbfounded by the lack of communication being offered up to the public by the team. Coverup? What are they not telling us? And why for goodness sake! Quinn did the right thing by not saying J.D is his number one guy. Double speak anyone? Quinn is usually pretty forthright. But it seems to me that when it comes to Khabby's back its like he suddenly has a brain cramp that impairs his ability to speak. What the bleep is going on? If he is done for the year tell us. If he is done as a player tell us. This ain't 1984. Is it. What is Big Brother doing?

The lid on information about Khabby's back is tighter than Butch Gorings helmet. As a fan I am dumbfounded by the lack of communication being offered up to the public by the team. Coverup? What are they not telling us? And why for goodness sake! Quinn did the right thing by not saying J.D is his number one guy. Double speak anyone? Quinn is usually pretty forthright. But it seems to me that when it comes to Khabby's back its like he suddenly has a brain cramp that impairs his ability to speak. What the bleep is going on? If he is done for the year tell us. If he is done as a player tell us. This ain't 1984. Is it. What is Big Brother doing?

teammate michael

big brother is stuck pondering how to side step the sh*tstorm that is coming when a 37 year old on a 4 year deal has back surgery 30 games into the contract.

I will say this much and I'm sure most would concur. If you were told JDD would have 12 straight starts (and counting) at any point of the season, expectations would be lower than jeanshorts' at closing time in the local liquor establishment.

im not really a bad person or some kind of hatefull nazi. im not even white. i just picked the name one day from my cousin book he was reading, it had all these names of bad folk that associated with the third empire.

i just cant stand some of these penisriding hypocrits that post on here.

listen here kid, my Grandfather who passed away last Christmas, was a decorated WW2 Vet as Pilot for the RCAF. I'm talking 40 successful missions with no loss of life. Your punk ass name makes me sick. Do yourself and us a favor by changing your damn name and starting fresh. TIA

listen here kid, my Grandfather who passed away last Christmas, was a decorated WW2 Vet as Pilot for the RCAF. I'm talking 40 successful missions with no loss of life. Your punk ass name makes me sick. Do yourself and us a favor by changing your damn name and starting fresh. TIA

good for your grandfather, i dont care. taking another mans life is wrong, no matter what your sorry excuse is. nazis killed non nazis. non nazis killed nazis. whos wrong whos right ? who cares, this is a hockey site.

do your self a favour and comment on hockey not my name, you sad douche.

good for your grandfather, i dont care. taking another mans life is wrong, no matter what your sorry excuse is. nazis killed non nazis. non nazis killed nazis. whos wrong whos right ? who cares, this is a hockey site.

do your self a favour and comment on hockey not my name, you sad douche.

What kind of physicals do these guys have to to take? Maybe they should be a bit more rigorous? You would think that the insurance companies would be a little more interested in finding out whether these guys have any chance of actually playing through their contract. Do they have to take anything to be cleared to play at the begininning of the season or is that just something that happens for trades?

good for your grandfather, i dont care. taking another mans life is wrong, no matter what your sorry excuse is. nazis killed non nazis. non nazis killed nazis. whos wrong whos right ? who cares, this is a hockey site.

do your self a favour and comment on hockey not my name, you sad douche.

Can we please get a admin to deal with "Hans" once and for all.

His posts are the first legitimately offensive comments I have ever seen on this site I think I speak for just about everyone with complete brain function that we don't need that here.